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US Air Force captain NOT guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting girl, 9, he ‘kidnapped’ outside Harrods
A PILOT has been cleared of drugging and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped from outside Harrods.
Robert Prussak was accused of approaching the schoolgirl after she became separated from her family while they visited London.
The 57-year-old broke down today as he was found not guilty of three counts of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.
Prussak was also cleared of kidnapping committing an offence of kidnapping with an intent to commit a sexual offence, and one count of administering a substance with intent.
Nneka Akudolu KC, prosecuting, said the girl had been visiting London from France when the April 2023 horror took place.
The family were “so mesmerised” by the size of the building that they “momentarily” did not pay attention to the children, the jury heard.
The former US Air Force captain allegedly asked the girl if she needed help before “every parent’s worst nightmare” unfolded.
He was accused of luring her back to his flat a few minutes’ away where he gave her a “bitter” drink.
Prussak then took her to Hyde Park where he sexually assaulted her, Isleworth Crown Court was told.
The alleged ordeal only ended when a police officer spotted the pair walking through the capital and recognised them from an alert.
But Prussak claimed he was “only trying to help” the girl and just wanted to keep her “safe”.
The dad-of-two told jurors he decided to come to the girl’s aid as he would want someone to do the same with his daughters.
He added: “I thought if my daughters were lost in a big city, I wouldn’t want them stuck there alone.”
Prussak said he took the girl to his hotel apartment to “get his bearings” and “search for nearby police stations”.
While there, he gave her a drink of water and let her watch TV, he added.
Jurors heard the girl had diphenhydramine – the active ingredient in Benadryl – in her system, which causes drowsiness.
Prussak, who has an undergraduate and a master’s degree in mathematics, joined the US Air Force as a mathematician.
He became a pilot in the Air Force and now works as a “pilot for hire”, the court heard.
Ballon d’Or winner who was president of his country reveals surprise Premier League team he supports
FORMER Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has revealed which Premier League team he supports.
Weah, 58, was present at last night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony having won the award himself in 1995.
The retired striker had a glittering career that saw him win the league at both AC Milan and PSG.
While he also ventured into the Premier League with spells at both Chelsea and Manchester City during the twilight of his playing days.
But despite representing two Prem sides, and even winning the FA Cup with Chelsea, Weah supports a completely different side in England’s top flight.
The 75-time Liberia international revealed that he’s actually a Tottenham Hotspur fan.
Weah told the crowd at the Ballon d’Or ceremony that he grew up supporting Spurs, and explained that Harry Kane is one of his favourite players these days thanks to his time in north London.
He said: “That’s [Harry Kane] one of the players that I love. I’m a fan of Mr. Kane.
“Well, he played for my team. I’m a very big fan, because I believe that he’s a very strong and very clever striker.
“And I support Tottenham, since I was a kid. And I love him.”
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Weah’s career never saw him make his way to Tottenham and represent his boyhood club, but it certainly was one that plenty of other players would be envious of.
Although his life after nine domestic trophies might be even more impressive than his football career.
Unbelievably, Weah went on to serve as the president of his home country of Liberia.
The retired pro was the 25th president of the African nation and served in office from January 2018 until January of this year.
Weah is also the father of Juventus and USA national team winger Timothy Weah.
While he is also the uncle of New York Red Bulls full-back Kyle Duncan.
Who are these famous footballers?
- I was West Ham captain but I almost went to jail over bankruptcy
- I’m a former Man Utd star and I once stole a girl from Ronaldo
- I’m an ex-Man Utd star – now I own a dog-themed B&B
- I was Thierry Henry’s toughest opponent but quit to become a pastor
- I’m a former Wolves striker but I left football behind to become a vicar
Britain’s ‘Human Ken Doll’ who appeared on This Morning faces PRISON after admitting ‘sextortion’ blackmail plot
BRITAIN’S “Human Ken Doll” who once appeared on ITV’s This Morning is facing a prison sentence after admitting a “sextortion” blackmail offence.
Jimmy Featherstone, 25, had told Alison Hammond that he spends £1,000 a year on plastic surgery to maintain his “perfect face”.
Now the wannabe reality TV star has been warned he could be locked up for blackmailing a man.
The police had, in a statement, previously described the offence as involving “sextortion”.
Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said that the blackmail offence affected not only the man, who was the victim of it, but also his partner.
A statement from the partner was being obtained as part of the prosecution case, said Mr Coxon.
Recorder Ian Mullarkey told Featherstone: “You have pleaded guilty to what is a serious case.”
All options would be considered at the next hearing, including a possible prison sentence.
Featherstone was warned that, if he failed to attend at court next time or he committed any further offences, he would be committing a separate offence.
His bail was on condition that he lived at his home address and that he did not contact the blackmail victim in any way, whether directly, indirectly or through social media.
He was accompanied at court by a female supporter.
Featherstone, known for his colourful persona, appeared on the TV programme Hooked On The Look, which featured the world of cosmetic surgery.
In 2021, Featherstone appeared on ITV‘s This Morning, alongside Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, where he discussed his addiction to fake tanning and tanning injections.
Featherstone has been fake tanning since he was 15 and using tanning injections since he was 18 – even though they are illegal in the UK.
Straight after using tanning injections, Featherstone explained how he’ll then jump on a sunbed.
In fact, he will try “anything” when it comes to tanning.
Having just been compared to the Ken Doll at the time, Featherstone admitted he loves the plastic look.
He said: “I’m a very happy person. There’s nothing wrong with the way I feel, it’s not that I haven’t got supportive friends or family, because I have.
“I purely do it because I wanna change the way I look and that’s because I like the outcome.”
When Alison asked if he was happy with the way he looks, he said: “No. There’s a long way to go.”
Two influencers drowned on sinking yacht ‘after refusing life jackets because they’d ruin selfies’, police chief says
TWO influencers drowned to death as they refused to wear life jackets when the party boat they were on sank, police said.
Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, and Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27, died as they reportedly thought the life-saving gear would ruin their “selfies.”
Tragedy struck after an overcrowded boat was sunk by a wave on a stretch of coast known as the Devil’s Throat off the coast of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Police revealed two women refused to wear life jackets on 29th September.
Sao Vincente police commissioner Marcos Alexandre Alfino shared the shocking reason Aline and Beatriz did not use the protective gear.
Commissioner Alfino said: “Some didn’t want to put them on because they were taking selfies.
“They said that they get in the way of their tanning.”
These revelations came a month after the tragic incident following investigators’ inquiries with the boat’s skipper.
The captain, one of five survivors, said he was ordered to take six influencers to the shore despite his boat having a maximum capacity of five passengers.
He added that the boat was too heavy to save after the wave struck.
Police are now trying to establish if their deaths were a tragic accident or preventable.
Commissioner Alfino added: “All this is being determined very calmly to conclude if the fatalities were based on recklessness or negligence.”
Vanessa Audrey da Silva, Camila Alves de Carvalho, Daniel Gonçalves Ferreira, Gabriela Santos Lima and Natan Cardoso Soares da Silva, who were also on the vessel, were rescued shortly after the accident.
Beatriz’s body was recovered at sea and Aline’s body was found on a beach by rescuers on 4 October.
Aline posted photographs with her pals on the luxury yacht onto social media, shortly before the tragedy.
Survivor Vanessa said the group of friends had met up to party on the yacht and spend the day drinking.
The friends later split into two groups and onto separate vessels to get back to shore but one, a rented speedboat, was swamped by a wave on the return journey.
Vanessa said she had managed to scramble into a life jacket and survived by clinging to rocks.
She said: “There was a moment in the water when no one could see anyone. I was fighting for life.”
Another survivor, Camila, recalled how she almost died in that terrifying moment.
She said: “There were very strong waves, we almost died. We didn’t know how to swim.
“I knew that I couldn’t take it for long. I hurt my foot and swallowed a lot of water.
“We threw ourselves into the rocks.”
The ‘Devil’s Throat’, the region where the accident occurred, is located between Porchat Island and Xixova-Japui State Park, in Sao Vicente.
It attracts surfers because of its waves, but hides several dangers due to the strong currents that hit the area.
Tragedy as woman’s body is found in river near cafe with forensic officers launching investigation
THE body of a woman in her 80s has been found in a river as cops launch an investigation.
The tragic discovery was made near Tuckton Tea Gardens, in the River Stour off Belle Vue Road in Dorset at around 9.21am today.
Dorset Police have launched an investigation into the death.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and the woman’s next of kin has been informed.
“The coroner has also been notified.
“Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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Starmer should have called off Labour’s ‘British invasion’ of US election…it’ll come back to haunt him when Trump wins
BACK on April 16, 1775, during the American Revolution, Paul Revere got wind that the British were planning a raid on the city of Concord in the coming days.
Once that information was confirmed, Revere made plans to alert the surrounding countryside on horseback that the Redcoats would be marching to destroy their military supplies.
Revere had to figure out the best way to signal which route the British would be taking. Would it be by land, or by sea?
Revere then realised that he could place lanterns high in the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston. One lantern if the British were invading by land. Two lanterns if by sea.
Two hundred and forty-nine years later, we need a third lantern. One that signals the British are invading again. This time by air.
Which they have. Upwards of 100 British Labour Party staff have “invaded” the United States to campaign for Kamala Harris in various swing states.
That, at least, is the way the campaign of former President Donald Trump and his supporters view the move.
More than that, they are openly accusing Britain’s new governing party of “blatant foreign interference.”
With that charge levelled, a lawyer for the former president just filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the United States against both the UK’s Labour Party and the Harris campaign.
The Trump campaign’s complaint came about after a LinkedIn post from Sofia Patel – a Labour head of operations – stated: “I have nearly 100 Labour Party staff (current and former) going to the US in the next few weeks heading to North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“I have 10 spots available for anyone available to head to the battleground state of North Carolina – we will sort your housing.”
By all accounts, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is a very level-headed and pragmatic leader. He should have vetoed this attention-getting stunt by Labour.
Unfortunately, he did not.
Worse, with a wink and a nod, he openly endorsed it.
Starmer should know this “invasion” has already backfired on multiple levels. Not only has it upset candidate Trump and his campaign team, but a growing number of Members of Congress.
Going back to the subject of the “American Revolution,” Trump campaign co-manager Susie Wiles declared in part: “Americans will once again reject the oppression of big government that we rejected in 1776” while she described the Labour Party as being “far-left” and one which has “inspired Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies.”
Additionally, former British Prime Minister Liz Truss told CNN: “I think it’s incredibly arrogant of the Labour Party to think that they have anything to offer the American people.”
Arrogant and again, potentially very self-destructive.
Maybe Prime Minister Starmer and his ruling party misplaced their copy of the “Political and International Relations 101” handbook.
If so, allow me to give them an update.
Six weeks ago, I wrote in the United States that the campaign of Kamala Harris was “collapsing.” I did so via background information relayed to me by highly experienced Democratic operatives.
The odds are growing by the day that Trump is going to win the election.
Starmer and his team are certainly aware of those odds. Why then, would they endorse an action which could damage relations with the incoming American administration?
In the past, British governments have diplomatically gone to great lengths to avoid the suggestion that they would prefer one presidential candidate over another.
Not now.
Today, Trump, his campaign, and powerful Members of Congress view the Labour Party as seeking to bring down Donald Trump… on American soil.
Even after this “invasion” heated up into a full-blown controversy, Starmer still sided with his mini-invading army.
He told reporters in part that any Labour Party staffers involved in the trip were there in a personal capacity: “They’re doing it in their spare time, they’re doing it as volunteers, they’re staying, I think, with other volunteers over there.”
Wink. Nod.
Starmer is very bright and is pragmatic. Why is he irresponsibly playing partisan politics by encouraging what the Trump campaign feels is “foreign election interference.”
And by doing so, negatively impacting the relationship between two great allies.
And for what? To placate hate-filled members of his own party or the far-left media in the UK?
When I worked in the Pentagon, we had a large sign up on the wall which read: “Life is Hard. But it’s a LOT harder if you’re Stupid.”
This partisan “invasion” of the United States by the Labour Party was stupid.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the book: The 56 – Liberty Lessons from those who risked all to sign The Declaration of Independence.
Six ways ‘saucy’ Maura Higgins overhauled her image from ‘desperate cut & paste reality star’ to ultra-polished A-lister
RENOWNED for her sky-rocketing career and jaw-dropping good looks, Maura Higgins has shown she has both the beauty and brains to conquer the showbiz world.
At 33, Maura first burst onto the scene on Love Island in 2019, and she’s now officially the third most successful contestant from the show.
With an estimated net worth of £3.2 million, Maura is not just a reality TV star, she’s a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
This week it was revealed that she has a new love interest with Strictly Come Dancing star Pete Wicks, as The Sun’s exclusive images show the pair enjoying a kiss after a date at east London hotspot Gloria.
Since joining the fifth season of the ITV dating show, brand and culture expert Nick Ede believes that Maura has had a huge overhaul of her image.
He says: “Maura Higgins has truly become a style star, commanding attention every time she steps onto the red carpet.
“Her current ultra-polished look is worlds away from her early days, where her style was more of a cut-and-paste reality starlet vibe.
“She’s now found fame on both sides of the Atlantic, evolving into a bona fide style icon with no signs of slowing down.
“Despite this incredible transformation, Maura has kept her sensational sense of humour and that irresistible, sexy attitude.
“She’s even caught the eye of Pete Wicks – who knows, she might just make a decent man out of him yet.”
Whilst in the villa Maura was labelled as “desperate” as she made her intentions with Tommy Fury clear since she first arrived at the villa.
But the former ring girl, then 28, left viewers “cringing” after she was continuously rejected by the boxer, then 20.
She then was drawn to Curtis Pritchard and ended up leaving the show with him.
At first, their split seemed amicable, but after photos emerged of Curtis kissing dancer Amber Pierson, Maura seemed to be angry.
Curtis has always denied cheating.
Body language expert Judi James believes her desperate attempts to seduce Tommy, only to lose her to Molly-Mae though, could have been a fatal career hiccup.
She says: “Equally damaging could have been her clingy, opportunistic attachment to Curtis Pritchard, which appeared to be a transparent, sell-out effort to remain on the show.”
But since leaving the show, Maura has shown her talent for being a star in her own right, with or without a celebrity arm to hand off.
She was a memorable character who people loved to hate, which only piqued fans’ curiosity about her life
Nick Ede, brand and culture expert
Her little black book might look like a reality booker’s go-to manual, but the guys she dates are no longer necessary to her level of fame.
Nick says: “Maura started her TV career as just another wannabe on Love Island, often remembered for her messy antics in the villa.
“She was a memorable character who people loved to hate, which only piqued fans’ curiosity about her life.
“Her relationship with Curtis Pritchard continued for months after the show, quickly establishing her as a star outside the villa.”
Being memorable
But the public ended up falling for her directness and calling the men on the show out. pls can you add his age at the time into this line? But the former ring girl, then 28, left viewers “cringing” after she was continuously rejected by the boxer.
Judi adds: “She was as direct as an Exocet missile whenever a fit man crossed her path, exuding a magnetic charm that was both captivating and commanding.
Instead of being perceived as tacky, it was a stylish move that solidified her brand
Nick Ede, brand and culture expert
“Her legendary ‘fanny flutters’ were matched only by her boldness in calling men out, effortlessly putting them in their place.
“With a sassy, saucy streak, she became a feminist icon, blending empowerment with an irresistible flair.”
Stylish and demure
With her racy outfits, Maura also became a fixture on every red carpet.
And now, she’s completely revamped her image, transforming into a stylish celebrity everyone wants to emulate.
Nick says: “After Love Island, Maura was fortunate enough to land a spot on Dancing on Ice.
“This opportunity helped her build a larger fan base and cement her status as a bona fide celebrity.
“Her social media presence exploded, allowing her to secure numerous brand deals.
“She transitioned from promoting fast fashion ranges to showcasing more exclusive pieces, further elevating her style.”
Brand deals
In November 2019, Maura launched her first lingerie collection with Ann Summers and has since done several collections.
Nick says: “Her collaboration with Ann Summers was a massive hit, turning heads and winning her a legion of male and female fans alike.
“Instead of being perceived as tacky, it was a stylish move that solidified her brand.”
Maura’s talent as a TV host became evident when she hosted the Aftersun shows in the UK in June this year, and her charm didn’t go unnoticed across the pond either.
This is not the same girl we saw desperate to lure guys like Tommy off to Hideaway
Judi James, body language expert
Nick says: “The US also recruited her to host, where she proved she has both beauty and brains, commanding the screen with ease.
“Unapologetic in her life choices, especially when it comes to men, Maura still has them wrapped around her finger.
“But she’s upped her game in the style stakes, rising from a typical Love Island contestant to a celebrity in her own right.
“By polishing her look, creating an aura of mystery, and maintaining the big personality that everyone fell in love with, Maura has truly become an unstoppable force in the world of fashion and entertainment.”
Judi believes her transformation is partly thanks to her breath-taking poses that have taken her from Love Island wannabe to marketing herself as a confident, high-status woman leading the celebrity life on her own terms.
Effortlessly A-list
Maura doesn’t just scrub up well for red-carpet events, her styling and her poses create the look of a true Hollywood A-list star.
Judi says: “Her focus is clearly on elegance and class, which propels her image and her perceptual celebrity status skyward, away from her D-list launch pad of fanny flutters and string bikinis.
“The trick here is as much about the pose as the pearls.
“Maura’s upper torso forward bend and then the lift of her head creates an haute couture look from 50’s Vogue.
“Her facial expression is pure Marilyn Monroe, with the heavy lids and partly-opened lips mimicking a very high-class version of sexual arousal.
“This is not the same girl we saw desperate to lure guys like Tommy off to Hideaway, this is the look of a girl who would barely be aware of his existence.”
Splayed Goddess
When capturing the perfect shot, Maura uses space and a sense of unapproachability or being untouchable.
Judi believes this sends a signal of a high status that she has parted ways from since Love Island.
She says: “On the show she was begging Tommy for a massage, here she looks like a human assault course in terms of blocking access to anyone.
“Space is one of the most powerful signals of high status, which is why we feel powerless in crowded tubes and lifts.
“Forget the lift for Maura though, in this dramatic pose she lets the world know she now takes up a whole staircase to herself.”
Adored, not adoring
Maura’s recent pics with celebrity guys show a very powerful message in terms of power in relationships and who now calls the shots.
With Pete Wicks, Giovanni and Kai Waddington her body language shows she’s now allowing them to do the running rather than the other way round.
Judi says: “Her recent photo with Pete Wicks shows him hugging her in an act of adoration while she grins over his shoulder, looking distracted and way more interested in the cigarette she’s holding.
“These looks suggest she’s happy to date these men but that they are not vital to her career or even her happiness any more.
“She registers control here, which is a message her fans will adore.”
Why do we love Maura Higgin so much?
By Judi James, body language expert
Maura is very keen on adding regular pictures of herself to her Instagram showing off her loyal side.
She presents that she is the fun friend you’d want on a girls’ holiday or hen night.
Her appeal has always been about projected integrity with a ‘what you see is what you get’ vibe and these photos of her laughing and sharing fun moments with friends make her seem relatable and accessible when she’s off-set and off the red carpet.
Unlike so many celebs on social media her happiness doesn’t seem built around wearing matching onesies with her man or showing off family meals or the perfect kitchen range.
She lets us know a good night still doesn’t have to involve sitting in front of a log fire gazing at the stone in your engagement ring.
Maura is also adept at some celebrity mimicry.
Her pics will often make you do a double-take, thinking you’re looking at a top celebrity in an A-list location.
Her love of chameleon styling allows her to cos-play several different looks and the pictures and the poses seem to send out a competitive, subtly victorious message of ‘I can do this too, only better!’
It’s playful but it makes the point.
Maura is a great eye-actress, signalling fans via some of her signature eye-expression tie-signs to let them know she’s not taking herself too seriously when she adopts one of her sexier poses.
She often has a side-eye which has become a signature Higgins look and it reassures fans that she’s still every bit as straight-talking and playfully direct as she used to be.
This is a retaining ritual, meaning by adding it into her sultrier poses she ensures she still provides the traits that fans first fell in love with.
She might have gone A-list chic but she’s not sold out in terms of values and behaviour. Fans love to see their favourite star rising to red carpet level but the original relatability needs to be there or resentment and accusations of being smug can start to kick in.
Maura has always had strong appeal to other women, who see her as the ultimate cool, fearless wing-woman you’d want having your back.
‘Secret boyfriend’ of Strictly star Jowita, 30, revealed as BA worker, 47 – after dancer’s ‘showmance’ with Pete Wicks
STRICTLY star Jowita Przystal reportedly has a secret boyfriend who works for British Airways – after a ‘showmance’ with Pete Wicks.
The 30-year-old dancer is believed to have been dating Calum Laming, 47, for a year.
According to MailOnline, Jowita has kept the relationship private – to keep rumours of a romance with her celeb partner Pete alive.
The Sun has reached out to Jowita for comment.
“Jowita has fallen hard for Callum – and he can’t believe his luck,” an insider told the website.
“He’s besotted with her but is happy to remain in the background while she performs on Strictly.
“Jowita is hugely ambitious and is determined to win Strictly and appreciates the publicity surrounding herself and Pete, regarding whether or not they’re dating, will help her cause.
“There has been lots of speculation about a possible romance between Jowita and Pete – and their dance routines have been choregraphed so that there is a lot of close personal contact.”
Lothario Pete is currently linked to Love Island’s Maura Higgins.
They were caught snogging after a date at east London hotspot Gloria this weekend.
However, his saucy routines with Jowita on the dancefloor have caused a stir since the series launched.
Fans have been desperate to watch their romantic journey unfold on the hit BBC show.
However, news of a “secret boyfriend” could shatter the illusion they’re falling in love on-screen.
Callum works as a chief customer officer at British Airways – a million jiles away from Strictly’ glitz and glamour.
He’s understood to have told pals he “can’t believe” he’s with one of the show’s top stars.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones